In the last astronomy packet we began our
observation by finding the constellation Ursa Major, also known as
the Big Dipper. This week we are going to look for two things,
Ursa Minor and a star named Polaris.

If Ursa Major is the Big Dipper, can you guess what
Ursa Minor might be? If you guessed the Little Dipper you got
it right. The star Polaris, which is one of the stars in Ursa
Minor, is also called the North Star.

We will use Ursa Major to help us find Polaris (The
North Star) and Ursa Minor. The two stars in the spoon end of
the Big Dipper point right at Polaris. Once you find Polaris,
which is the first star in Ursa Minor, you can then look for the rest
of it.

Note: The stars turn over our heads all night
long. Depending on what time you go out, Ursa Minor (Little
Dipper) may not point upwards. You must first find Ursa Major
again, then follow the two stars in its spoon end to Polaris.
Also remember that Ursa Minor will look much bigger in the sky than
it does in this picture.